The City Council's Committee on Budget and Finance has approved a reduced version of Cebu City's first supplemental budget for 2026, slashing P163.65 million from the original proposal after a thorough review of department requests.
Budget Reductions and Fiscal Discipline
The executive branch initially sought over P964 million. However, the committee, chaired by Councilor Dave Tumulak, trimmed the proposed budget to P800,541,721.40, citing the need for fiscal discipline and alignment with actual operational requirements.
Major Cuts in Garbage and Buildings
The Department of Public Services faced the largest reduction. A proposed P500 million allocation for the closure of the Binaliw landfill was cut by P100 million, as intensified waste segregation in several barangays reduced hauling needs. Additionally, the P50 million budget for legislative building repairs was halved to P25 million, with the committee prioritizing urgent structural fixes like roofing and painting over broader renovations.
Trimming Personnel and Traffic Costs
Other departments also saw reductions. The Peace and Order Program was cut by P18.6 million, as the committee deemed additional personnel requests premature while 240 security personnel are already being procured. The Transportation Office's request was reduced by P10.05 million, with a directive to focus on accident-prone areas rather than broad spending on signs and supplies. A proposed P10 million greenhouse project under the Agriculture Office was cut by P5 million, with officials recommending greater focus on trucks and irrigation support.
Retained Programs
Despite the cuts, the committee retained key public assistance programs. The P29 million Teachers Upgrading Program will support 572 public school teachers pursuing graduate studies. The P35 million Driver's Subsidy Program was also retained for nearly 15,000 transport workers, though council members called for stricter validation to ensure proper targeting.
Funding Sources
City finance officials said the supplemental budget would be funded through savings dating back to 2010 and unused balances from old projects. While the City Treasurer confirmed fund availability, some council members raised legal questions about using older appropriations for new expenditures.
Call for Accountability
The committee emphasized that revisions were driven by cost controls and transparency concerns. Several items were reduced due to lack of supporting documents, including program of works requirements. "The revisions were necessary to ensure transparency, accountability, and prudent use of public funds," the committee stated. The revised budget now moves to the full City Council for a final vote.
